Chef Has Message For Ivanka Trump Following Interview Request

By: Mackenzie Wright | April 21, 2017

One executive chef who has made a splash in her industry was approached by a writer from IvankaTrump.com. The writer wanted to feature the chef in a profile to celebrate her work and honor her as an empowered female entrepreneur. When the chef saw that the profile would go on a Trump website, she respectfully turned the offer down.

Her response was brilliant.

Angela Dimayuga, executive chef of Mission Chinese Food, posted the exchange on Instagram. She got a message which read, "I would love to conduct an interview (via telephone/email) with you spotlighting your work as a strong female entrepreneur — how you confidently develop your dynamic food vision and brought it to reality."

As soon as Dimayuga realized she was dealing with a representative of Ivanka Trump, she knew the right answer. She shared her response on Instagram as well.

She thanked the writer, but respectfully declined, saying, "I'm for women who actually empower other women."

"I don't believe that IvankaTrump.com is truly a non-political platform of empowerment for [women]", Dimayuga said, noting that it's a Trump business, and therefore meant to make a profit.

"I don't see anything empowering about defunding Planned Parenthood, barring asylum from women refugees, rolling back safeguards for equal pay, and treating POC/LGBT and the communities that support these groups like second class citizens," Dimayuga explained. "As a queer person of color and the daughter of immigrant parents I am not interested in being profiled as an aspirational figure for those that support a brand and a President that slyly disparages female empowerment. Sharing my story with a brand and family that silences our same voices is futile."

Dimayuga's response has been applauded by the LGBTQ community and people of color, as well as those who support those communities. If Ivanka Trump truly believes in empowering women, she might set an example by standing up to her father.